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15 November 2012

Israel and Hamas on the Verge of War

Multiple news outlets are reporting that Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are on the brink of war following recent bombings.

On Thursday, 15 November, Hamas fired a rocket that killed three Israelis north of the Gaza strip. The attack reportedly was a response to Israel's Wednesday assault, which resulted in the death of the top military commander of Hamas. Israel launched Wednesday's attack following persistent rocket fire from the Palestinian group, which at one point culminated in over 100 rockets pounding Israel within a 24 hour period. The Jerusalem Post offers more information on today's attacks:

A rocket from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open field outside of Rishon Lezion on Thursday evening, marking the first hit in the center of the country in renewed violence from the Gaza Strip. The rocket, one of over 240 fired from Gaza into the South since the IDF launched Operation Pillar of Defense Wednesday to root out the terror infrastructure in the coastal territory, landed less than 15 km south of Tel Aviv. The operation began with the Wednesday afternoon targeted killing of Ahmed Jabari, the chief of Hamas's military wing. (Source)

These recent attacks have revived a longtime conflict in the region. Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who was helped into office by the Muslim Brotherhood, has condemned Israel's action and sided with Hamas in the matter. The Christian Post elaborates:

"The Israelis must realize that this aggression is unacceptable and would only lead to instability in the region and would negatively and greatly impact the security of the region," Morsi said, although he did not specify whether Egypt would in any way interfere on behalf of Hamas.

Although Morsi has pledged his commitment to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel, the fresh conflict is causing concern in the region. The Muslim Brotherhood, which was key in installing Morsi to power and has been called the "spiritual mentors" of Hamas, has called for a "Day of Rage" in Arab capitals on Friday in protest of Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, however, that Israel is "prepared to take whatever action is necessary to defend our people." The Jerusalem Post provides more insight into Israel's plans:

Defense Minister Ehud Barak hinted Thursday that Operation Pillar of Defense against Gaza-based terrorists could be a lengthy battle, as rocket fire from the Strip continued to batter communities in the South.

"We're in the middle of a struggle that's not easy and probably won't be short," Barak said during a visit to the site of an Iron Dome battery in Beersheba.

"We're determined to return the situation [in the South] to its previous, quiet state, and will do that with whatever is demanded to accomplish that. This is just the beginning."

Both groups also are utilizing the social media platform Twitter to provide updates on their operations, causing some to wonder if such behavior violates Twitter's terms of service.

This conflict no doubt causes many to reflect on our Lord's promise of many wars and rumors of wars in places such as Matthew 24:6, and it is hoped that Christians around the world will be in prayer for this tenuous situation in the Middle East. As this earth continues to groan in anticipation of the return of Christ, such headlines as these ought to cause each believer to make haste in urgently and boldly proclaiming the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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